-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The founder of the University of Phoenix , Dr. John G. Sperling , has died , according to a statement posted on the Apollo Education Group 's website . He was 93 .

The statement said Sperling passed away Friday at a hospital in the San Francisco Bay area . No cause was given .

`` Dr. Sperling 's vision , pioneering spirit and boundless resolve to improve the world through accessible higher education for working adult students provided a roadmap for families , nations and economies to evolve , advance , grow and prosper , '' wrote Apollo chairman and Sperling 's son , Peter Sperling , and company Chief Executive Officer Greg Cappelli .

`` Dr. Sperling 's indomitable ideas and life 's work served as a catalyst for innovations widely accepted as having made higher education more accessible to adult students , '' the statement read .

Sperling founded the Institute for Professional Development in 1972 , followed by the University of Phoenix , a degree program aimed at working adults , in 1978 . The for-profit university was one of the first to develop online degree programs .

The University of Phoenix is one of the largest private universities in the United States with more than a million students , alumni , faculty and employees , according to the Apollo Group , its parent company .

Sperling was born on January 9 , 1921 , in rural northwest Missouri . He served in the U.S. Army Air Corps and worked as a history professor .

Sperling is survived by his longtime companion , Joan Hawthorne ; his former wife , Virginia Sperling ; his son , Peter ; daughter-in-law Stephanie and two grandchildren .

Chuck Johnston contributed to this report .

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NEW : No cause of death has been given

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NEW : He is survived by his longtime companion , former wife , son and two grandchildren

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John Sperling was 93 years old ; he died on Friday , website says

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Statement : Sperling made higher education accessible for working adult students